Golf-club testing- machine



5v Sheets-Sheet l.

Feb. 26, 1929.l

G. E. BARNHART GOLF CLUB TESTING MACHINE Filed YApril 50, 1927 Feb. 26, 1929.

G. E. BARNHART F CLUB TESTING MACHINE GOL ' Filed April 30. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet Feb. 26, 19.29.` i 1,703,507

G. E. lBI-XRNHYAWI GOLF CLUBk TESTING MACHINE Filed' April 30. i927 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 'rae ga/gef. Earn/dri .9

Patented 26, 1929.

GEORGE E. BARNHART, GF LASA'DENA, CALIFORNIA.

@GLF-CLUB TESTNG IMACEINE.

Application filed April- 30,

Although my present invention carahle of' testing various of rode or eher as to their ability to withstand Such strains (producing` either a torque or by longitudinal benning operation, or both) ae may esult ifrom Sudden Contact with obstruction, said invention is referred to as a Ooll cluh testing machine, for the reason that it is a particular object of this inventionte provide means for approximately imitating,` the various strokes hy which golf balle may be driven, and to t et the ability oi golf eha'l'te to Survive euch use or abuse ae they may encounter in the hands of goliiera. n

It is an object of my invention to provide means for Securinga golf club eccentrically, and preferably at a. plurality of pointe, relatively to a shaft or shaft section which is provided with ineane for imparting a uniiiorm or a non-uniform rotatioi'ial movement thereto; and, in preferred embodiinei'its of my invenion, the said shaft being inclined with reierence to a horizontal axle and dispeeed above a suitable means for the support oi one or more golf balls (or equivalent movable obstruct-ione) ll f novide means for varying the speen at which said shaft is rotated, means; for varying the inclination of said shaft, and means for suitably Supporting one more goli balle (or equivalent obetructioi i) in such manner that the Same shall be successively or repeatedlj-,f struck, during successive strokes oi a golill club, produced by mechanical moana having the indicated menci'al character.

Other objects of my invention, including the pre' eion of a suitablemechanical train, for the mentioned eliai't section at various speeds from a suitable motor, and preferably including also means for so gripping a shaft ae to obviate marring` the Same, and including; also means whereliy a eeries oi" rolt balle or the like, may advance in proper eynchronieni with reference to the rai-,e oi" rotation of the. mentioned shaft, may be beet appreciated from the following' description of an illuatrative embodiment of' my invention, taken in connection with the agncnded ela and the accompanying drawings, in which l may be referred to as a eide elevatiene view, with parte broken away, oli a complete machine embodying,` my invention.

199.7. Serial. No. 187,5276.`

Fig; 2 ie a top view, corresgondin` to Fig. l, but taken 'from the direction of arrow 2, with optional parte omitted and other parte broken away.

Fig. 3 ie an enlarged detail sectional view, taken substantially as indicated by the line 3 -8 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4e is a vertical sectional View, taken Substantially as indicated by the broken line 4 4 of rig. i.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view, on a larger scale, taken substantially as indicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. l.

6 is a detail view, taken substantially as indicated hy the arrow 6 of Fig. 5, but omitting an optional gear-shifting or speedchanging,` organization shown only in Fig. i.

` 7 is a detail sectional view, similar to Fig. 5, but taken substantially as indicated by the line 7 7 o'f Fig'. l.

8 is a sectional detail View, taken on a Still greater scale of enlargement, substan- `tially ae indicated by the linee 8 8 of Figa. l and 2.

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional View, taken Substantially ae indicated by the line 9--9 oi Fig, 8.

Figs. l() and li are respectively detail views, showing alternative forms of ball holders, taken substantially as indicated by the linel0 ll of l.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional detail vi coinparahle with Figs. l0 and l1, but showing an alternative construct-ion hereinafter rererred to.

Referring to that specific embodiment oi my invention which is chosen for purpose@ of illustration, mentioning the major parte thereof, I show a nivo-ted iain frame ll as Secured above a base ll by means coi/nprisii'ig` a horizontal pivot shaft 13 and a built-in jack li, said main frame being` employed to Support an electric motor l5, indirectly driving,1 a uniformlywotated Shaft l2. Said main frame provides iined bearings not only for said shaft but il: r an intermediate Shaft 16 (to which uniiform motion may be tranemitted by means such as pulleys 17 and 18, interconnected by a belt 19) and said frame may also provide adjustable bearings 20, 2l, for a driven Shaft eyi- 1 teni 22 vincluding` a crank-driven Section23, a brake-carrying section 2li, a clutchmomo? lneinber 75, carrying a cushion TG muy be secured by bells or .sierewe 77-eonnterpzirt "l'rough members 78, Carrying Cushions 79, being" movable by Serewe 80, exending through separae C-shaped elements 81. rEhe inner ends 82 oi said C12-Shaped. elements are shown as adapted vothe beek surface ol' the plete 70, the outer ends or :irme .rhereel1 being hreeded acer reeepion of ldie Screws 8M y means of the emi elierer'er sh schied, it will be hsit a golf club s113511. er its equivalent, may be grasped nl; 'any Suitable peines, new the upper or larger end ther and dieposed either Sie right emplee le the lengitndinzil miie of :l i y desired inclination "herebv the doied on'l'line,4 Q7

d gi inmy object ef nay iin/eniou 'lo provide nienf; for eioeely @bun-ierA 'leitinpj any eee of :l great variety of Strokes;

le while.; golf clube nmy be subjee'exl in erdinery risse (or epee) f third, or ohe; iortiens ci :i full elrolie), rhin being shown provided Wih :i shift lever 31 and as disposed beween the brekeeulrying ebelt seefaion 2/1 and elulclreerryini;` shaft seetien 25,-eliown ae ehznnbered to pr@ fide e beaming` 'l' r one rfid el The LL Crank-driven shaft seeien 2?, and l prefer not onlyjte provide ineens, euch s the inentiened jack 1&1, for varying Jche inclination olf l'he lnenioned drh-.fen ehefl; eyeten'i, eerial Wih Jhe sleeve 26, but to provide mez-ane for siipportingv ordinary gell balle; or oi'her yieldable oberncioes, in he path. through which heads or impact members 811, Carried by golf clubs or other shafts, may be erung by means similar to those herein deeeri ied; and, for the purpose here referred to, provide, :front of Jthe piel; or j, :i l Sii, pf t obs'erni The '11eme shown is Cmnprieleo' ereneible legi@ 91, eupperling horizontal 92 SP2', ebownin he ferm o l'he reeirieel'ive ends el! hitler, l may .secure leeringg lil-:ichs 9?), 9B, for sheri :diante 91, 95, Carry .71g .eproelielel 915. f orer which nniy exi'end zr eprorke elmiu Ud. fzarrying lees er eqnivzilenr Supporte :lor golf baille 99 er equivalent yieldeb' :ind

Y ebsliruetiens.

:i gear 100 upon 'alle 101 upon he shefi'; QlV-enr mission mechanism being 'iiier between. For example, eseuinii nieniioned geen' lo be :i bevel neer engage able by :i ceri-ee )ending bevel gez r 102, the letter may be secured upon end liorbions 103 of a sectional Shaft coi'iiprifsing en eX- 'lenfsible mein section 1Y0-rne e, eproelie carrying section 105,-the end sections 103 and 105 being reepez'ively enppored by bearing; breelzeie 106 i, 10?', and eonneeod willi he Ceni'ml seelieii [l1 by ineens Snell e ginibzil beni-inge or nniveieel jointe 1055, 10); and niiotion may be irene'niitted ifron'i rhe gear 100, or ire equivalent, to :1, sprocket on ihe shaft section 105 by ineens; eheh gear 111, engaged by the gear' 100 and Carried by a shaf; 112, exr'eirding ihre-neil;

zninfanee one of the 99, er any deeaired yieldzible eb, (when a :serieel elf Such oberuebie employed) nto euch a position drab the shaft 27, or any impact member vided thereon, Qhnl suitably eneoii seme, Conni yreit ai partienie-r sirolie; and, depenldrngg,` upon Whether ee'lluel oil belle or metallic er obber herd belle 99 are e be advanced by chain 98, or its equivait, l may provide on seid chain either 'nilteee, Coniprieing spiral 5;' newhe ae snggjeeed 117, Fig, 1U, er I may employ rigid (nezillie or wooden) 1ers, ae suggested at 118, Fig. 1L; or, in

cese 'he replaeenient o'lj aeinailvlm-llfs io be obvia-ted, 1 may Secure directlyY 11e the orizenfil iframe eleinenis` d2, er te z ineiner Jfhereon, :i plaie 119,-'e Support :i tube Q0 er ite equivalent, edepled to using; vfor e, reeilient or other i 121, direeely er indirectly c a, special golf bell or eiher obstruction 99". The plaie 19 Shown 'sie secured ro the elen'ien=s 92 end 92 by eci-eww er bolle 122 sind jehe resultant er extensible element 121 is shown es Secured by :i eye 123 lio :i cap or "terminal element 124i, Je the lower end ol? lhe tube or hensing @Gf-ehe upper end ef Seid resilient er exleneible eleineilw beinev :secured io the bell 99 presumably formed el rubber by menne of en eye belt 152:5, lvxleixdingg hieugh :L spherical .eifrmling element 126, eenling; Within or upon i convex or nher eheulder 12T, :le the upper end or' lube er housing 120. v

A lihonh Jdie `generel mode ol operziion o iny shef-leelin* devicev han; been indieeied in eenneeien will he descriplion thereof,

designed primarily ehe behavior 01: hollow metallic golf club l especia-Hy emi r birre i'he following :feces: My descr. besan Anziehine having been "f lor use n1 neeertaining elecve but to the manner star ,ing and shaftsn a club lor other shaft which is to be tested may be Aaecured at any desired distance froman end thereof and at any desired angle relativelyto the plate 70 on the sleeve 26; andsaid club or other shaft may be swung,

vat a rate and in a manner which is subject to variation by a shitting of the lever 31 and/or the lever 3l and/or by variation in the distance between shaft 'i6 and the rotartional axis oi shaV section 23T-a preferred pfnxtiono-it each unitorin or variable cycle oit rotation in'iparted to this ehr erection ing,l trL itted thriniiuh the canncontrolled clutch ell to one ol the concentric driven ehi-rit sections Supported wholly or partly by 'bearings 2l.

Y The cooperating discs 50, 5l, and parte thereon, eqeentially constitute a preferred incarne of n e iittingl a limited initial :mgl lin-al relative retardetive between a clue or other shaft undergoing test and a section el: the 'variably drivenk shaft system upon a ion ci which the disc is se cured; and the nullo organization comprising' drum i9 and land 55 essentially constitutes an automatic mea-ns for bringing` a `section of card eha'iit System to rest, prelimiiarily to a repetition @t the described movements, at the saine or a different rateg and with the club or other shaft in the same or an altered posit-ion. Y y

It will be seen that the ei'ect o tation of the sleeve 2G, or its equivale bending` yor twisting1 or' actually bre a Shaft must depend. not only upon the i.

irauin rotational velocity ini-parted to ping` and also upon the incli club and the point at which the club head y 84:, or its equivalent, may stroke; and also upon the char cter and freedom of moveincnt of said ball, an equivalent y'ieldable obstructioin-vfhcn e1` lt will accordinijly be,uiulerstoo that my invention provides; not only means for holding a club in various positions and advancing the suine at various rallies but also that the bzn upport ,ans may be variously positioned, and *wat free yor attached balls of' various types may e ein'iloyed, in order tosubiect either club shafts or club heads to any le erred tents; and 'the advance balls Q3) may be so timed in any fleeired way with i'elfei-,

itatine' the strokes of actual 23 prior to failure for vthe clubs will be a `measure of their relative durability.

'lhe measurement of the distances which the same ball, or balls of the saine weight and re ilience, are driven by different clubs nder Same conditions will determine o e relative driving power or life of the rent clubs.

ier te s 'lfor determining the action of placed in abnormal poee's An determining` the `most 7 and angle of yheads for vari-` conditions may be conducted with de- 'ile und measurable acc-uracy. though I have herein described a single iplete embodiment of my invention, sugfue; alternative constructions and modes ci' use, :lzhould be understood not only that verioue features thereof may be indenendently used but also that numerous modiitions might be made, by those Skilled in the art to which thi@v case relates, without the slightest departure Yfrom the spirit and acoge of this invention, ae the same is in-, dicated above and in the following claims.

lf claim as my invention:

l. ln means for Lenting the behavior oli golf clubs when swung through arcs: means 'for releasably securing a golf club at an adj usted. angle and elevation rela ive te a li ed point; and adjustable means for ruba, to said club, through said ,securing means, siiiccessive strokes, snlnantially iinitating` the ches of actual play.

y 2 in means for testing; the behavior o'i olif clubswhen swung through arcs: means releasably. securing` a golf lb at an ad Y 'tedangle and ele?,T .tion fre-lat to a lined point; adjustable mechanical. z ne for iinparting to said club,through ,1 .id securing means, successive strokes, substantially iin- 1 ay; Yand :nul ineens for supporting` a vi 'ible cbetrnction in the path oi said c..

l. ln menne lor test i goil' clubs when swf if; Y for releasably securing' a golf club z liusted angle and elevation :ehn` p t;andn1e n irouegh said oi actual .means inclui'l moven'lent therepv in ineane relcasabiy securing a n ted anule a1' evaticn r l.; a shaft ion supporting f means and means 'for' impari i pivoted holding; element as to linfoduce a including` a uniformly rotated shaft, and means for transmitting a non-uniform movement therefrom to said securing means, a cam-operated clutch being interposed hetvveen said uniformly rotated shaft and said shaft section by which said securing means are carried.

5. In means for testing` the behavior of golf clubs when swung through arcs: means for releasably securing` a golf club at an adjusted angle and elevation relative to a fixed point; and means for imparting" to said club, through said securing means, successive strokes, substantially imitatingv the strokes of actual play, said stroke-imparting means including a uniformly rotated shaft, and means including` driven shaft section for trai'ismitting a non-uniform movement therefrom to said securing means, a brake being interposed between said uniformly rotated shaft and said shaft section.

6. ln means for testing` the behavior of golf clubs when swung` through arcs: means for releasably securing a golf club at an adjusted angle and elevation relative to a fixed point; and means for imparting to said club, through said securing means, successive strokes, substantially imitating tno strokes of actual play, said stroke-imparting means including a uniformly rotated shar, and mea-ns including a driven shaft section for transmitting a non-uniform movement therefrom to said securing means,-a sliplimiting` means being interposed between said driven shaft section and said securing` means. y

7. In means for testing a shaft: a pivoted holding organization; releasable means for securing said shaft at a desired angle to said holding` organization; means for supporting` a yieldable obstruction in the patl'i of a. part on said shaft; and means for so movingl said predetermined 4contact between said part and said obstruction.

8. ln means for testing a shaft whi Vlh earries an impactmcmber: a pivoted movable holding organization; releasal'ile means for securing said shaft at a desired angle to said holding` organization; means for supporting i yieldable obstruction in the path of said impact member; and means forse moving said movable holdingelement as to produce a predetermined contact between said impact member and said obstructioin--said moving means comprising' a motor and a mechanical train driven thereby and speedchanginomeans interposed in said mechanical train.

9. ln a shaft-testing machine, means for releasably holding a golf club at an adjusted angle and elevation relative to a fixed point; and mechanically operated means for there 'swinging said club in such manner as to simulate a 'playing stroke; and means for supporting a ball in such position as to be struck in a desired manner; during said stroke.

ll. ln a shaft-testing' machine, a plate member provided With meansfor releasably holding a golf club at an adjusted annie and elevation relative to a fixed point; and mechanically operated means for thereby swinging said club in such manner as to simulate a playing` sti.'olni,-said swinging; means comprisingv a sleeve integral with said plate. Y

l2. ln a shafttestingl machine, means for releasebly holding a golf club; and means for thereby swinging' said club in such manner as to simulate a playing stroke, said swinging means comprising a uniformly rotated shaft and a sectional. driven shaftsystem VCisposed `iarallel therewith; and means interconnecting said constantly rotated shaft and a section of said driven shaft system comprising;`y a crank, a Wrist pin carried by said crank, and a membe provided with a cam slot, to receive said Wrist pin.

i3. A rolf club testing;` machine comprising: a unifomly rotated shaft; a sectional driven shaft system; means carried by a section thereof for releasably engaging' a club; and means for transmittingl motion thereto, at controllably varied rates, from said uniformly rotated shaft.

la. A golf club testingl machine comprisng': a uniformly rotated shaft; a sectional .h'iven shaft system; means carried by a section thereof for rch sably engaging; a club; means for transmitting motion 'to said hiven shaft system, at controllably varied rates, from said uniformly rotated shaft; a yieldable obstruction, adapted to be struck by said club; and means for supporting said yieldahle obstruction.

l5. l golf club testing machiney comprising: a uniformly rotated shaft; a sectional driven shaft system; means car Aied by a sectionthereof for releasably engagingl a club; means for transinitting` motion to said driven shaft system, at controllably varied rates, from said uniformly rotated shaft; a yieldable obstruction, to be struck by said club; and means for advane/inn` said obstruction.

16. A Oolf club testing machine comprising: a uniformly rotated shaft; a sectional driven shaft system; means carried by a section thereof for releasably engaggingv a lll) club; and means for transmitting motion to said driven shaft systenn at controllably varied rates, fromv said uniformly rotated shaft-said transmitting means including an intermediate shaft, provided with a slotted arm; and means for transmitting motion therefrom to said driven shaft system.

17. A golf club'testin'gr n iachine comprising: a uniformly rotated shaft; asec'tional driven shaft system; means Vcarried by a section thereof for releasahiy engaging a club; vand means for tranemitting` motion from said uniformly rotated shaft9 to sad driven shaft system, at controllahly varied rates,*said shaft system including a crank driven section.

18. A golf cluh testing macl'iinc compris ing: a uniformly rotated'shaft; a sec/:tional driven shaft system; means carried by a section thereof for releasahly engaging a club; and means for transmitting 'motion from said uniformly rotated shaft, to said driven shaft system, at contioilably varied r'ates,- said shaft system including a clutch-driven seetn y 1'9. A golf Yclulo testing machinecomprising: aiuniformly rotated shaft; a sectional driven shaft system; means carried ley a section thereof `for releasaoly engaging a club; and means for transmitting vmotion from said 'uniformly rotated shaft, to said driven shaft'system7 at 'controllably varied rates,-said shaft system including` a clutchdriven section provided With adjustable cam means adapted to govern the fraction of a cycle of rotation imparted to said club engaging means.

club; and means for trai'isnrittinfev 20. A golf club testing machine comprising: a'uniformly rotated shaft; a sectional driven shaft system; means carried by a section thereof for releasahlyengaging a club; and means for transmitting motion from said uniformly rotated shaft, to said driven shaft system, at controliahly varied ratesfesaid shaft system including a brakec'arijying section.

2l. A golf club testing machine comprising: a uniformly rotated shaft; Va sectional driven i shaft system; means 'carried hy a section thereof `for i'el'easahly engaging; fa y d motion from said uniformly rotated shaft, to 'said driven shaft systexm at controllablyvaried rates,-said shaft system including ahralgecarryingv section provided with. means for varying the 'application of afbralerelatively to a cycle of rotation. y i

22. A golf cluhtestingi machine comprising: a uniformly rotated shaft; fa sectional driven shaft system; `an intermediate shaft adapted to receive rotation from said uniformiy y rotated shaft; Vmeans for nsinitting motion fromV said intermediateshaft to vsaid section driven shaft at controllable aried rates, said driven `shaft system'heing movable to and from a `co-axialrelati` n 'with said intermediate vshaft;iand'means carried by a section of 'said driven shaft systemfor rclea'sahly engagiiig a Yclubf In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at'Los Angeles, 11th day of April, 1927.

GEORGE n. marinier Californim' this 

